Extra material produced for an existing game, either by the game's original production company or by a third party. Expansion packs generally provide a new story line, more levels or maps and occasionally new items, equipment or units.

What makes an expansion different from a new game or a stand-alone game or even a sequel is that you need to have the original game installed to play it. The expansion contains more data for the game and does not have a game engine of its own, and it usually doesn't come with the original game. Although recently, a few companies have been releasing ''standalone'' expansion packs, which do in fact come with the engine, and allow the gamer to play with the extra content by itself, but having the original game too may have benefits (such as an OldSaveBonus allowing you to pick up with your endgame character, and avoid [[BagOfSpilling bag-spillage]]).

There has been some recent controversy over the fact that additional purchasable content on some recent games actually consists of unlocking material which shipped with the original game. While this practice is not exactly fraudulent, and has been employed for productivity software for years (for a recent and commonplace example, Windows Vista's five or so versions are all included on every disc, and the license key determines which features will be enabled), some gamers have felt cheated by being compelled to pay extra for content they already physically possessed.

This is not a new phenomenon. It is said that back in the 1970s, IBM would sell a low-end version of its original 360 mainframe, that if the customer ordered a higher-end version (which cost several thousand dollars for the upgrade), IBM would send out a technician who simply used a clipper to sever one wire.

Nearly every RTS game ever made had at least one expansion pack. While the older games usually just added bonus missions that were more challenging than the original game, it has become custom to expand the different factions unit lineup as well as frequently adding new factions to the game altogether.

{{MMORPG}}s used to rely heavily on this model and the [[VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft biggest]] [[UltimaOnline titles]] [[GuildWars with]] [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI physical]] [[{{Rift}} editions]] still do, either as the sole method of distribution or as an option for those with poor internet connections. FreeToPlay titles deliver most of their content updates [[DigitalDistribution online]] but may occasionally bundle several patches together on a disc in an example of this trope.

Not to be confused with third party self-titled add-ons, which usually just contain maps made with the games map editor (and usually not very advanced either). Third-party add-ons are often (though not always) produced by a game's fan community, and can take the form of extended (or heavily-revised) storylines, additional missions, new weapons, or a 'Total Conversion', which is a time-intensive process that (as the name suggests) converts the game into something else entirely, and usually involves a graphical overhaul, a new soundtrack, and even (in the most extreme cases) new model design and programming extensions (some of which push the game's original engine ''far'' beyond its design limitations).

Related to DownloadableContent, which, depending on what and how much they add to their base games, are basically downloaded Expansion Packs. See MissionPackSequel for when developers try to pass these off as entirely new games.

These aren't just for video games either; BoardGames, and {{Euro Game}}s in particular, are noted for having a lot of them. See also SourceBook.----!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Adventure Games]]* ''VideoGame/{{Uru}}'', the MMO spin-off of ''VideoGame/{{Myst}}'', received a gratis expansion due to its general ''failure'' as an MMO. ''To D'ni'' gave non-beta players offline access to previously online-only areas. ''Path of the Shell'' was sold later. They rendered an installation incompatible with any online play, which had been shut down, until the [=GameTap=]-funded revival in 2007.* ''VideoGame/ItCameFromTheDesert'' had the data disk ''Antheads: It Came from the Desert II''.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Driving Games]]* ''VideoGame/{{Banjo-Kazooie}}: Nuts & Bolts'' received one called "LOG's Lost Challenges".* ''VideoGame/FZero X'' had one released only in Japan for the failed Nintendo 64DD add-on that included a car editor, a track editor, two new cups, and a few new music tracks.* ''WanganMidnightMaximumTune 2'' got a "Ver. B" patch that allowed anyone, not just players who clear Story Mode without losing a single stage, to achieve the 815 HP setting by [[LevelGrinding driving 5,000 kilometers]]. [[ItsEasySoItSucks Cue outcry from players skilled enough to be undefeated in Story Mode.]][[/folder]]

[[folder:Fighting Games]]* ''MagicalBattleArena'' has two. The first is a free, downloadable one that would add the characters [[{{Slayers}} Lina, Naga]], and [[MahoujinGuruGuru Kukuri]], as well as the stages [[{{Slayers}} Golem Fight Grounds]] and [[MahoujinGuruGuru Nekojima Valley]]. The second is [[http://fly-system.net/product/mba/pack_lyrical.htm Lyrical Pack]], which adds [[MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha Hayate, Vita, and StrikerS Nanoha, the Desert Planet and Virtual City Training Ground stages]], Mission Mode, Survival Mode, and various character and gameplay tweaks.* ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' GaidenGame ''[[FightingGame Scarlet Weather Rhapsody]]'' has ''Hisoutensoku'' as an expansion of sorts. It ''can'' be played alone, but to get most of the characters you'll need ''SWR''.** ''Touhou'' fangame ''VideoGame/TouhouPocketWarsEvolution'' has one in the form of Touhou Pocket Wars Evolution ''Plus''. The expansion adds a follow-up story based around and playable versions of the cast of the 12th Touhou game.* ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', in arcades. ''Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection'', and ''Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion''.[[/folder]]

[[folder:First Person Shooters]]* Creator/MonolithProductions has a bit of history with both third-party and self-made expansions for their games, particularly first-person shooters:** ''VideoGame/{{Blood}}'' first had the third-party "Cryptic Passage" which just added new levels. Shortly afterward came the Monolith-produced "Post Mortem", which included new weapons, enemies, and various changes and bugfixes.** ''VideoGame/FirstEncounterAssaultRecon'' had just third-party expansions, "Extraction Point" and "Perseus Mandate", which continued/complimented the base game's story, as well as adding new enemies and weapons.** ''F.E.A.R. 2'' had the 4-mission ''Reborn'' DLC campaign.** ''[[Franchise/AlienVsPredator Aliens vs. Predator 2]]'' had the third-party expansion "Primal Hunt", a prequel to the base game.** There were also a pair of third-party expansions for ''VideoGame/ShogoMobileArmorDivision'' that never saw release.** ''VideoGame/{{Blood}} II'' and ''VideoGame/TronTwoPointOh'' each had a single first-party expansion: "The Nightmare Levels" and "Killer App", respectively.* The one for ''VideoGame/StarTrekEliteForce'' had the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin rather bluntly descriptive title]] of ''Star Trek Elite Force: The Expansion Pack''.* ''Final VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' provided two full level sets in one package, ''TNT: Evilution'' and ''The Plutonia Experiment'', the first of which was originally intended to be a freeware GameMod until id Software struck a publishing deal with its development team.* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}} 3: Resurrection of Evil''. The ''[[UpdatedRerelease BFG Edition]]'' includes an additional mission pack titled ''The Lost Mission''.* ''VideoGame/HalfLife1'' had a number of successful expansions, including ''Blue Shift'' and ''Opposing Force'', and the sequel continues this tradition proudly with the ''VideoGame/HalfLife2 Episodes'' series.** What Valve is doing with Half-Life episodes is an original usage of expansion packs; [[EpisodicGame preemptive piecemeal publishing of what'll essentially be Half-Life 3.]]** Thanks to Steam, the Episodes also blur the definition between expansion pack and sequel: if Half-Life 2 was installed, the Episodes would re-use assets and engine components from that game, acting like expansions; but if it wasn't, they would add the necessary files themselves.** Meanwhile, ''Blue Shift'' inverted the concept: It was packaged with its own copy of the engine and was in fact [[MissionPackSequel a full standalone install]], but marketed as an expansion pack rather than a sequel due to its short length and unaltered gameplay.** A third party, ''We Create Stuff'' released (before ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'' came out) a flash-based 2D game based on the idea of Valve's 3d Puzzle game. We Create Stuff then released a complete replacement map pack for Portal that can best be (charitably) described as exceedingly NintendoHard.* ''Crysis'' received ''Crysis Warhead''.* ''VideoGame/{{Unreal|I}}'' had the expansion pack ''Return to Na Pali''.* ''VideoGame/{{Quake|I}}'' had ''Dissolution of Eternity'', by Rogue, and ''Scourge of Armagon'' by Hipnotic. ''VideoGame/QuakeII'' had ''The Reckoning'', by Xatrix, and ''Ground Zero'' by Rogue. And ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena'' had ''Team Arena'' by Id themselves.* ''Sin'' had the ''Wages of Sin'' expansion pack.* ''VideoGame/{{Postal}} 2'' had the ''Apocalypse Weekend'' expansion.* ''Videogame/{{Borderlands}}'' had four DLC campaigns which added new areas to explore as well as new weapons. Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot added a bank to store extra items in while The Secret Armory of General Knoxx added in a new vehicle and a BonusBoss meant as a high level challenge. [[Videogame/{{Borderlands 2}} The sequel]] also had DLC campaigns that followed the same formula, with each one also adding at least one new Raid Boss.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Hack and Slash]]* The ''Xtreme Legends'' releases for the ''VideoGame/{{Dynasty|Warriors}}[=/=]VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' games. As consoles are generally not expansion-friendly, they've traditionally also worked as stand-alone games, but there's really nothing worth playing if you ''do'' use them as such... and with the advent of DLC, Koei seems to be moving towards just making them straight expansions.* The ''Videogame/SengokuBasara'' series has also had expansions (''Battle Heroes'' for the second game and ''Utage'' for the third) which made certain NPC characters playable and added some new game modes.* "Vergil's Downfall" for ''VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry''.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Massively Multiplayer Online Games]]* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''.** First, there's ''the Burning Crusade'', which released Outland as the ExpansionPackWorld (seeing a connection already?) in addition to a lot of other stuff, including two new playable races.** ''Wrath of the Lich King'', the second expansion set, opens up a new continent, Northrend, and introduces death knights as a playable class.** Besides of adding new areas, the third one, ''Cataclysm'', refactors all the initial zones to the game's current standards, introduces two more races, and adds high-level stuff amidst the old zones that have largely been ignored.** The fourth one, ''Mists of Pandaria'' adds the continent of Pandaria, playable pandaren for both factions, and the monk class.** The fifth one, ''Warlords of Draenor'' features the world of Draenor, an alternate universe past version of Outland, and updates player character models.* Almost all {{MMORPG}}s that remain popular long enough will release numerous expansion packs. ''VideoGame/UltimaOnline'' and ''VideoGame/{{Everquest}}'' both have over a dozen expansions apiece.* ''VideoGame/{{Rift}}'' had ''Storm Legion'', which promised to triple the size of the game's world.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Platform Games]]* ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosU'' has ''VideoGame/NewSuperLuigiU'', which contains 82 levels that are more difficult than the standard game. ''Luigi U'' is also a standalone retail release, playing with the trope.* Probably the ultimate expansion pack would be ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sonic & Knuckles]]'', a cartridge game that ''literally attached to'' the previous title, ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog 3''! This was because they were [[WhatCouldHaveBeen originally meant to be one game]], but it was split in half to meet the deadline and a lock-on system was devised to allow the games to be played on their own or combined into one game. The feature also allowed them to make it an expansion for ''Sonic 2'' as well, allowing players to be Knuckles.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Pinball]]* ''VideoGame/ThePinballArcade'' is a framework for playing digital reproductions of PhysicalPinballTables. Players buy packs of one or two tables to add games as desired. They can also try games for free, but play stops once the lowest high score is reached.* Similarly, ''VideoGame/ZenPinball'' and ''VideoGame/PinballFX'' comes with ''VideoGame/SorcerersLair'' for free, but additional tables (most of which have prominent licenses) require separate in-app purchases.* Creator/SternPinball's ''Pinball/{{Transformers}}'' table combines this with LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition; in addition to the regular game, it is available in three Limited Edition versions. Along with different artwork and color-coded metalwork, the [=LEs=] offer additional playfield elements that expand the game a bit, such as having to hit a target behind Starscream as he turns to block it, and a tilting mini-table for the Ironhide ramp.* ''VideoGame/ZaccariaPinball'' has ''Time Machine'' as a free table, but additional games must be paid for separately.* Nine months after ''Pinball/{{Metallica}}'' was released, Creator/SternPinball conducted a fan poll for two more songs to be added via a software update. The winners were "Ride the Lightning" and "Blackened".[[/folder]]

[[folder:Puzzle Games]]* ''Oh No! More Lemmings'' was originally conceived as an Expansion Pack for ''VideoGame/{{Lemmings}}'', though was released as a standalone game. It is abundantly evident in the learning curve, which is a ''lot'' steeper in ''Oh No! More Lemmings'', where there's one category of stupidly easy levels that were clearly added in as an afterthought, followed by four categories of [[NintendoHard Nintendo Really Fucking Hard]] madness...* Owners of ''TetrisTheGrandMaster 2 - The Absolute'' got a free update kit called ''Tetris: The Grand Master 2 - The Absolute PLUS'' (commonly referred to as "TAP"), which added some new modes: TGM+ (garbage rises from the bottom if you're clearing lines too slowly), [[HarderThanHard T.A. Death]] (pieces drop instantly and you must survive for 500 levels, or 999 if you clear the first 500 fast enough), and allowed players to play Doubles mode on one credit. In addition, the "Grand Master" rank in Master mode is more difficult to obtain, [[NintendoHard as if it wasn't already hard enough]].* ''Worms: Reinforcements'' was an expansion for the original ''VideoGame/{{Worms}}'' that added a single-player challenge mode, new sounds and custom levels, and many game balance adjustments. Added items were health crates and the Mole Bomb (which rarely appeared due to a bug).[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Time Strategy]]* ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} II'' had ''Beyond the Dark Portal'', which took the fight, well, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin beyond the Dark Portal]], to the orcs' homeworld of Draenor, adding several hero units and a new tileset in the process.** ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} III'' had ''the Frozen Throne'', which added lots of new heroes, units, buildings and maps in addition to a new campaign. One of the new places visited in the story was Outland, the ruined remains of Draenor.* The ''Brood War'' expansion for ''VideoGame/{{StarCraft|I}}'' picked up the story and added several new unit types.* ''VideoGame/StarCraftII'' has double expansions. The first game, ''VideoGame/StarCraftIIWingsOfLiberty'', serves as a base for both ''VideoGame/StarCraftIIHeartOfTheSwarm'' (released March 2013) and ''[=StarCraft=] II: Legacy of the Void'' (no release date given). ** Wings of Liberty is the terran (human) campaign, Heart of the Swarm is the [[HordeOfAlienLocusts zerg]] campaign, and Legacy of the Void will be the [[CrystalSpiresAndTogas protoss]] campaign. Each section has 20+ missions on its own, more than the total of all three factions' in previous installments.* ''VideoGame/StarWarsGalacticBattlegrounds'' had ''Clone Campaigns'' as its Expansion Pack. This included two new campaigns, two new factions (Confederacy and Galactic Republic), as well as new techs and units.* Massive Entertainment's first RTS ''GroundControl'' received an expansion pack, furthering the adventures of major Parker. A few faction tweaks and some additional options for units added a bit more depth.** While skipping an expansion for ''GroundControl II'', their later RTS ''WorldInConflict'' received one with a campaign for the Russians.* The ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'' series considers them obligatory. The first few (''The Covert Operations'' for the first game, and ''Counterstrike'' for ''Red Alert'') just added new missions, but from ''The Aftermath'' for ''Red Alert'', they always added new units as well.** ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTIberianSun Tiberian Sun: Firestorm]]'', while adding little to the core gameplay, had a new internet mode that allowed players to join either the GDI or Nod in an attempt to conquer the world.** ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert2 Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge]]'' added a third faction lead by the eponymous Soviet psychic, as well as adding new units to the existing factions (the Soviets in particular underwent significant changes, what with Yuri taking all their psychic tech with him).** ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquer3TiberiumWars Kane's Wrath]]'', in addition to bringing the "multiple branches per faction" idea from ''Red Alert 2'' to the Tiberium games, also told the story of what exactly Kane was up to both between ''Firestorm'' and ''Tiberium Wars'', and between ''TW'' and ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianTwilight''.** ''[[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3 Red Alert 3: Uprising]]'' has the obligatory three "what happened after the war" campaigns, along with a fourth campaign telling the OriginStory of the Empire's special infantry unit, Yuriko Omega.* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}: VideoGame/DawnOfWar'''s first expansion pack, ''Winter Assault'' added the [[RedShirtArmy Imperial Guard]] as a playable faction, playable with its own story campaign, and RiskStyleMap campaign. ''Dark Crusade'' also introduced two additional races (The Tau and the Necron), which was a ''Standalone'' ExpansionPack.** Dawn of War also got a third expansion pack, ''Soulstorm'' which added Dark Eldar and the Sisters of Battle.** Dawn of War II had two standalone expansion packs: "Chaos Rising", which introduced Chaos, and "Retribution", which introduced the Imperial Guard.* ''TotalAnnihilation'' had two expansion packs, ''The Core Contingency'' and ''Battle Tactics''. The first was a full expansion complete with campaign and dozens of new units, the second a map and mission pack.* ''CompanyOfHeroes'' had two standalone expansion packs - ''Opposing Fronts'' added a British faction and the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer-Lehr-Division German Panzer Elite]] for multiplayer-use along with single-player campaigns for the factions. ''Tales Of Valor'' provided three single-player episodes, new units for the multiplayer factions which would replace current units while chosen, and three new multiplayer game modes (two strongly resembling a MultiplayerOnlineBattleArena and another being a HoldTheLine game mode).* Every ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' title got an expansion that introduced new factions and units.** ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresI'' has ''The Rise of Rome'', which also added the ability to queue unit production instead of manually ordering one at a time.** ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresII'' has ''The Conquerors,'' which introduced New World civilizations to the series.** ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresIII'' has ''The Warchiefs'', which added playable Native American factions, and ''The Asian Dynasties,'' which added Asian factions in the Americas.** ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' has ''The Titans'', with a new campaign and enormous Titan units for all civilizations.* ''VideoGame/RiseOfNations: Thrones and Patriots'' introduces ''six'' new factions for ''[=RoN=]'').[[/folder]]

[[folder:Role Playing Games]]* UrExample: Creator/{{Epyx}}'s games ''VideoGame/TempleOfApshai'' and ''Hellfire Warrior'' each had two expansions: ''Upper Reaches of Apshai'' and ''Curse of Ra'' for the former, and ''The Keys of Acheron'' and ''Danger in Drindisti'' for the latter.* ''Xanadu Scenario II: The Resurrection of Dragon'', an expansion to ''DragonSlayerIIXanadu'' which included some of YuzoKoshiro's earliest video game music.* ''Sorcerian'' had three add-on scenario packs released in Japan by Creator/{{Falcom}}, the latter two shifting the setting to [[JidaiGeki Sengoku Japan]] and AncientEgypt. There were also two third-party scenario disks, not counting the five ''Selected Sorcerian'' disks of OfficialFanSubmittedContent.* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''. [[DownloadableContent Mothership Zeta, The Pitt, Operation Anchorage, and Point Lookout]] all count, but the most important {{DLC}} is Broken Steel, which completely changes the ending of the vanilla game so as to allow you to [[PlayableEpilogue play after beating it]], as well as adding some new {{sidequest}}s and increasing the level {{cap}}.** ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' does similarly, with added bonuses: ''Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues,'' and ''Lonesome Road'', in addition to the obligatory new sidequests and items, increase the player's level cap by 5 per expansion (up to 50 with all four). There's also the ''Gun Runners' Arsenal'', which as its name suggests adds a ton of new (highly-expensive) weapons for the player to use, and the ''Courier's Stash'', which gives the player all four of the pre-order armor and weapon sets.* In reality, the separate chapters of the ''GuildWars'' saga ''aren't'' expansion packs, but entirely separate games. They may look like expansions, walk like expansions, but it's possible to independently own and play any of the three games separately. Naturally, there are benefits for combining the three products as a single game.** Those would be {{Mission Pack Sequel}}s.** However, the ''Eye of the North'' '''is''' a true expansion, in that it needs at least one of ''Prophecies'', ''Factions'', or ''Nightfall'' to be attached to. Given its supposed intention to act as a bridge between the current ''GuildWars'' and ''GuildWars2'', we could be looking at what may be the industry's first pre-expansion pack.** ''Factions'' and ''Nightfall'' aren't {{Mission Pack Sequel}}s as each game in the series does add many new features, graphical upgrades, etc., which aren't in the original (''Prophecies''). Some of the new features and upgrades ''did'' get passed down to the original, however, many more features didn't, and most new features introduced after that were added to all three games simultaneously.* ''City of Villains'' is an expansion pack and GaidenGame for ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes''. It is also an example of an expansion that is fully built into the core game, and has to be unlocked by paying the complete price of an additional game. Furthermore, as of the end of 2006 ''City of Heroes'' has at least two smaller "bonus" packages that add extra powers and costume options to the game which can only be activated via separate purchases from [=NCSoft=]. (As of 2008, the games are no longer separate and everyone who had only one can access the other for no extra cost. 2010's Praetorean story arcs will be another stand-alone gaiden game that can be an expansion pack for City of Heroes / Villains.)* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'' has two expansion packs, ''Tribunal'' and ''Bloodmoon'', adding additional areas and quests, and possibilities (as the title hints, the character can become a lycanthrope). However, they also update the game .exe to include additional functions not present in patches for the original game, introducing unfortunate dependencies on the expansion packs for the vast majority of the enormous selection of ''Morrowind'' mods created by the community.** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'' has had several small downloadable content packs, and one full sized expansion, ''Shivering Isles''.** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' has two downloadable expansions so far, the first being ''Dawnguard''. It adds small new areas to the ends of the world map, and new vampire and werewolf content with a quest line where you can choose to join the vampires or Dawnguard (vampire hunters). The second expansion, ''Dragonborn'', adds Solstheim, the Nord-ruled island north of Morrowind from the ''Bloodmoon'' expansion, as well as side trips into the realm of Hermaeus Mora, the daedric prince of ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow.* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening'' picks up the story where ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' left off, with you in charge of rebuilding the Grey Wardens in Ferelden. You have the option of importing an ''Origins'' character sans any DLC content save the "Return to Ostagar" stuff (since the other DLC content is incompatible for some reason), or starting fresh with a level 18 Orlesian Grey Warden Commander. There are enough new features to call it an expansion (new talents, higher level cap, new companions), but not enough to call it a sequel (it's still basically the same game).** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' [[WhatCouldHaveBeen was expected to have an expansion pack, as well]], titled ''Exalted March''. However, due to the sequel's controversial reception, all planned expansions for it were scrapped a year after the release (except for two DLC campaigns that have been released in the meantime).* Originally designed as ''VideoGame/BaldursGate III'', ''VideoGame/BaldursGate II'''s expansion ''Throne of Bhaal'' was the climax to the Bhaalspawn story. (The game that would later be developed as "Baldur's Gate 3", ''The Black Hound'', had nothing to do with the ''BG'' series' Bhaalspawn saga. It was only named that due to Interplay lacking the rights to make ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' games that weren't called "Baldur's Gate", the same reason for ''Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance''. ''Throne Of Bhaal'' was more a "proper" expansion pack, as compared to ''Tales Of The Sword Coast'', which added a few dungeons (though they were big ones!), spells, and items and raised the level cap without actually impacting the main story.* ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' had two clear expansions, Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark, each of which introduced a new campaign, several new spells, weapons, feats, and prestige classes. Hordes of the Underdark also increased the level cap, introducing an epic tier to the game. In a strange twist, canonically the PC of Hordes of the Underdark is the same as Shadows of Undrentide, but NOT the same as the one in the original campaign.** ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights2'' ended up with two expansion packs too: ''Mask of the Betrayer'', which is considered by many to be the SpiritualSuccessor to ''PlanescapeTorment'' as well as ''Storm of Zehir'' which attempted to replicate the dungeon crawling style of the ''IcewindDale'' games.*** Talking of ''IcewindDale'', the original game received an [[ItsShortSoItSucks extremely short]] expansion pack, ''Heart of Winter''.*** The game designers acknowledged the shortness of ''Heart of Winter'' and released a free downloadable second expansion pack called ''Trials of the Luremaster''. You need your copy of ''Heart of Winter'' installed to play it however.** ''[=NWN2=]'' also had a smaller expansion titled ''Mysteries of Westgate'' that was distributed as DLC.* One game with tons of expansion packs is ''UltimaVII: The Black Gate'' (commonly regarded as the best in the series), which didn't just get ''Forge of Virtue'' and ''Serpent Isle'', the SI expansion pack even got its own expansion pack in the form of ''The Silver Seed''. Due to clumsy marketing and a rushed release (ordered by corporate suits), ''The Silver Seed'' was shipped partially unfinished; while the expansion is in 'winnable', numerous unchecked plot holes, dangling story threads, and even one or two only partially-designed-but-abandoned-midway sidequests mar what is arguably one of Origin's finest works.* ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' proved so popular that an expansion game, ''Persona 3: FES'' was released. This contains the original game but with an extra difficulty level (Hard), new calendar events and additional Personae to summon. The real meat of the expansion comes in the form of an extra 20-30hr scenario which serves as a direct sequel to the events of the main game. All this plus the fact that it retails for less than the original means that there's little to no reason to purchase the original any more.* Tribes of the East, the second and last add-on to ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic 5'', is an example of a stand-alone expansion. Mostly so because the main game's flaws, which mostly were addressed in this expansion, caused mediocre sales. However, there is no real bonus to owning the main game and the expansion, since all features except the campaigns are contained in [=TotE=].* ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}} II'' had an expansion, ''Lord of Destruction'', where you traveled to the Barbarians' homeland of Arreat and fought Diablo's older brother (ItMakesSenseInContext).** The original ''Diablo'' had an official expansion pack called ''Hellfire'', but it was made by a third party and was pretty sloppy in quality.** ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'' has ''Reaper of Souls'', which adds a new act, a new class and many more.* ''BlueDragon'' had a pack of special items released for download, then an entire new BonusDungeon, then a NewGamePlus mode that made the game super difficult.* ''VideoGame/DivinityIIFlamesOfVengeance'' continued the story of ''VideoGame/DivinityIIEgoDraconis'' so well, that they were henceforth only ever released bundled together (under the subtitle ''The Dragon Knight Saga'').[[/folder]]

[[folder:Sandbox Games]]* Subverted by ''[[VideoGame/MountAndBlade Mount & Blade]]''. ''Warband'' was formerly announced as a classic expansion pack, then became a standalone one and was later on finally confirmed as a greatly UpdatedRerelease (and minor ContinuityReboot).* ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoClassic Grand Theft Auto: London 1969]]'' for the Playstation actually required you to have the original ''GTA'' disc to boot it. That is, it wasn't standalone like a MissionPackSequel.* ''GrandTheftAutoIVTheLostAndDamned'' and ''[[GrandTheftAutoIVTheBalladOfGayTony The Ballad of Gay Tony]]'', two downloadable expansion packs that were originally {{Xbox 360}} exclusive, but were released for the {{Playstation 3}} and PC a few months later.* The ''[[{{Videogame/X}} X-Universe]]'' series' first game, ''X: Beyond The Frontier'' has the ''X:Tension'' [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin extension]] pack, which expands the content and allows the player to purchase and fly other ships. ''X3: Terran Conflict'' is a standalone expansion pack for ''X3: Reunion'', though it offers so much new content that it is typically referred to as a separate game. ''X3: Albion Prelude'' is an expansion pack of an expansion pack - it requires ''Terran Conflict'' to run, though it runs from a separate executable and the player does not carry over progress in from ''Terran Conflict''.* ''AssassinsCreedIII'' has an expansion pack called [[ForWantOfANail The Tyranny of King Washington.]] Curiously enough, it ended up getting split into [[DownloadableContent three DLCs]] instead of one whole set.* ''VideoGame/SaintsRowGatOutOfHell'' is a stand-alone expansion that uses the gameplay systems of ''VideoGame/SaintsRowIV'' while also adding tons of new content.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Simulation Games]]* The Porsche expansion pack in ''VideoGame/ForzaMotorsport 4'' re-introduces 23 of Forza 3's Porsches, adds 7 new ones that weren't in previous games, adds achievements, and adds more single player events.** A Rally expansion pack was revealed for ''Horizon'' about a week before release.* The original ''OperationFlashpoint : Cold War Crisis'' first received the ''[[POVSequel Red Hammer]]'' expansion, which only added a new campaign for the Soviet forces and was made by the game's publisher (Codemasters). The second and more substantial expansion was ''Resistance'', which was made by the main developers again and offered a lot of technical and gameplay improvements ({{RPG Elements}}, sidearms, better sounds, animations and graphics) in addition to a new setting and new [[LaResistance guerilla warfare-themed]] campaign. Notably, the devs also offered various vehicle and weapon addons prior and after the release of ''Resistance'' in the form of free DownloadableContent - this was still a relatively new concept back in 2002-2004. All of the addons and most of the expansiosn were later included in the collector's edition of the game.* Its successor, the ''{{ARMA}}'' series, upped the ante quite a bit. The first game, ''Armed Assault'', only had a single standard expansion, ''Queen's Gambit'' (with an additional island and a new campaign). Then ''ARMA II'' came along and received some DLC. But the real expansion pack and DLC fever started with the release of ''ARMA II: Operation Arrowhead'', itself a standalone expansion to the original ''II'' (with a brand new setting and lots of new features). So far, ''Arrowhead'' has received the ''British Armed Forces'', ''Private Military Company'', ''Reinforcements'' and the ''[[CreatorProvincialism Army of the Czech Republic]]'' expansions. And lately, ''{{ARMA}}'''s helicopter sim cousin ''Take On Helicopters'' has also been receiving various small expansions, usually in the form of DownloadableContent.* ''{{SWAT 4}}'' had ''The Stetchkov Syndicate''. It added a new single player campaign with seven missions related to the titular Bulgarian mafia clan, numerous AI, command interface and multiplayer improvements, and several new weapons, including a nifty tear gas grenade launcher, a special marksman rifle and a more modern taser pistol that could double as a melee weapon.* ''VideoGame/RainbowSix'' had a follow up in the form of ''[[NintendoHard Eagle Watch,]] a series of depressingly tough levels. It's sequel contained Urban Operations that included mod support (such as replacing Rainbow with [[RogueWarrior SEAL Team Six]] and several 9/11 fan add ons), Covert Operations that includes a counterterror encyclopedia and officer test (in story one of the members of Rainbow was moving from an enlisted soldier to intel), and Black Thorn, which interestingly changed an airport level to a bus terminal after September 11, and the developers released the map for modders to play around with. The third game was followed up by Athena Sword and a Korean only expansion pack that is free to download. The XBOX and PS2 conversions were similar in having stand alone expansions to the main game, some deviating from the PC versions.* Fasa's ''MechWarrior 2'' received several: Ghost Bear's Legacy and a multiplayer expansion called the 8 player pack.** Might be mistaken for an expansion: ''MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries'' was a standalone game.** ''MechWarrior 3'' got one as well, a bit harder to find though. Pirates Moon it was called.** Pretty much all incarnations of ''MechWarrior 4'' received an expansion:*** ''MechWarrior 4: Vengeance'' was followed up by ''MechWarrior 4: Black Knight'', which continued the story from a different view point. Pretty much DarkerAndEdgier, as it picked up after the ''worst'' possible ending. Pretty much Battletechs[=/MechWarriors=] m.o.*** Another expansion for ''MechWarrior 4: the Clan 'Mech'' and ''Inner Sphere 'Mech'' packs. Adding additional Battlemechs and weapon system to the games. Only usable in Multiplay however.*** While not an expansion per se, ''MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries'' plays around the same timeframe as Vengeance and Black Knight. Furthermore, the 'Mech pack expansions could be installed for Mercenaries as well.** Same universe, different genre: the first ''MechCommander'' game received a gold upgrade. Which included different difficulty settings (and boy did the vanilla game need one!) and a whole new multi-mission campaign!* ''StarfleetCommand'' series gained a massive one for the second incarnation, adding new factions like the Orion Syndicate. Full title: ''[[ColonCancer Star Trek: Starfleet Command II: Orion Pirates]]''* ''[[SilentHunter Silent Hunter IV]]'' has the expansion ''U-Boat Missions'', that allows you to command a German submarine with base on the Japanese-occupied South Eastern Asia.* ''VideoGame/WingCommander'' has {{expansion pack}}s for both the first two "main line" games and for the {{spinoff}} ''Privateer''. Once the series went to [[FullMotionVideo FMV]], however, it became impractical. And, no, ''VideoGame/WingCommander Secret Ops'' is ''not'' an ExpansionPack, no matter how much [[FanDumb some fans]] wish to paint it as such.** For context, ''Secret Ops'' was the sequel to Prophecy, which was released for free in a series of episodic releases. Instead of FMV, there was additional text-based content (in the form of emails, news articles, posted orders, etc.) that you would look up online between episodes. The game was eventually taken offline, and was only legally available afterwards as part of the "Prophecy Gold" package, a box that included ''Wing Commander Prophecy'' and '' Wing Commander Secret Ops''. [[KeepCirculatingTheTapes Without the online story content.]]** The [[SuperNintendo SNES]] version of ''Secret Missions'', the first [=WC1=] add-on, was a fully separate game that didn't need the original, but that was a function of cartridge-based games for which the method described in the ''[[SonicTheHedgehog Sonic & Knuckles]]'' example, above, was impractical on the basis of costs (WC at the time not being the [[CashCowFranchise cash cow]] that was the Sonic series).* ''VideoGame/{{Descent}} II: The Vertigo Series'' and ''Descent 3: Mercenaries''.* The first generation ''VideoGame/IL2Sturmovik'' series released its new games as standalone expansions, with smaller addons (new planes, maps, missions and audio packs) usually released either as classic expansion packs or DownloadableContent.* ''VideoGame/TheSims'' is worldwide known for being an ExpansionPack CashCowFranchise, the first one having seven expansion packs (all now conveniently packed with the original for the price of one game, spiting everyone who actually bought them separately) and the sequel having 8 expansion packs containing new game features and content, and 8 lower priced 'stuff packs' containing content only. Sims 3 has 8 expansion packs and 8 Stuff packs.* ''RollerCoasterTycoon''. All three games have had two expansion packs each.* ''TheMovies'' had one expansion pack, ''Stunts & Effects''.* The first ''VideoGame/ZooTycoon'' game had two: ''Dinosaur Digs'' & ''Marine Mania''. The second had four: ''Endangered Species'', ''African Adventure'', ''Marine Mania'' & ''Extinct Animals''.* How Commander Pavel Chekhov ever became a full fledged commander is beyond many. Apparently he lost a whole disc with missions for Interplay's ''StarfleetAcademy''. Luckily these were found and added in an expansion called... ''Chekhov's Lost Mission''. It did not add much to the core game, aside from 5 new missions with brutal difficulty, tying up a few dropped story lines.* ''VideoGame/{{Vietcong}}'' had ''Fist Alpha'' and ''Red Dawn'', while ''Vietcong 2'' had ''Fist Bravo''.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Stealth Games]]* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid: Special Missions'' was, in America and Japan, simply a (literal) [[MissionPackSequel mission pack spinoff]] to the original ''MGS''. Unfortunately, for reasons known only to Konami, they added a disc-check onto the European versions, requiring players to own ''Metal Gear Solid'' for the game to boot. Doubly-unfortunately, the disc check doesn't work on certain [=PS2=] models and most [=PS3=] ones, rendering European copies of ''Special Missions'' unplayable on those consoles.** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPortableOps'' was followed by ''Portable Ops Plus'', a stand-alone expansion that focused on adding more multiplayer modes and character types from other ''MGS'' games in addition to those featured in the original ''MPO''.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Turn-based Strategy/4X]]* ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}} IV'' has 2 expansion packs - ''Warlords'' and ''Beyond the Sword''* ''Civilization V'' also has two expansion packs - ''Gods and Kings'' and ''Brave New World''.* ''Syndicate'' has a single expansion pack called American Revolt. It is notably quite difficult.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Non-video game examples]]* RealLife version: At DisneyThemeParks, Toon Town was added to Disney World, with New Orleans Square, Bear County, and California Adventure to Disneyland.* Every [[CardGames Collectible Card Game]] in existence. ''MagicTheGathering'' averages one expansion every 4 months or so. Yu-Gi-Oh can top that with a new set every three months. As well as all the special packs.* Also popular with board games. Settlers of Catan has several expansion packs as does Alhambra. Sometimes these are combined into one set as a 'big box' release.* ''TabletopGame/{{Dominion}}'' is an interesting case. There are 6 (Soon to be 7) expansions (4 big (300-card) and 3 small (150-card)), one base/expansion mix (Intrigue), and one non-playable base set. To play any game, you need a base set (Original or Intrigue) or the non-playable base set plus any expansion. To make this confusing mix even odder, while the non-playable base-set contains only cards that are in the base set and intrigue, they're an updated design. So some players may purchase this set even if they already have one of the two base sets. It provides no new cards, but they are nicer-looking versions of old cards you might have at least two full sets of already. * [[SourceBook Supplements]] for {{tabletop RPG}}s are almost inevitably this. It's in the nature of these games that all one usually really ''needs'' to buy to play one are from one to three "core" rulebooks and any special dice it requires -- but that doesn't keep rules expansions, new setting information (or new settings altogether), pre-made scenarios and the like from ''also'' selling.[[/folder]]